MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

22.5.2007

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Marios Matsakis
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the situation of Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B6‑0222/2007

European Parliament resolution on the situation of Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.   whereas Mr Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, has faced calls for him to step down since details emerged about his role in securing a pay rise for his partner, who used to work at the Bank;

B.   whereas a special panel established to investigate M. Wolfowitz's behaviour in the reassignment of his girlfriend has concluded that he violated rules governing conflict of interest;

C.   whereas on Wednesday 16 May 2007 Paul Wolfowitz met the Bank's 24-member Board to respond to allegations of favouritism;

D.   whereas the Bank's mission of poverty reduction should be placed above misguided personal loyalty;

E.  whereas the controversy over M. Wolfowitz has particular resonance because he has put great emphasis on the struggle against corruption since taking charge of the Bank;

1.  Calls on the EU Presidency and the US government to signal to the president of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, that his withdrawal from the post would be a welcome step towards strengthening the bank's anti-corruption policy and preventing its mission of poverty reduction from being undermined;

2.  Underlines the opportunity to avoid long-term damage to the World Bank by resolving this matter in a fair and equitable way.

3.  Recalls that Members of the Development Committee of the European Parliament noted in June 2005 with great concern that the selection process of the chief executive officer of the most important international development institution lacked minimal requirements for legitimate governance;

4.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Presidency, the Council, the Commission, the Governing Board of the World Bank and the US administration.